Scouts from Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund attended Bordeaux’s 2-1 defeat to Nice last week to see forward Thomas Toure in action, according to French football websiteFootball365.fr.

Toure, 21, has been a regular fixture in the Bordeaux squad this season after signing his first professional contract with the club in the summer, and penned a fresh deal last month until 2019.

The promising attacker has recorded three goals and four assists in 22 total appearances so far this term and, while he has not been prolific, his performances have left a lasting impression on fans and the media alike.

Clubs across Europe have started taking notice, too, and both Villa and Dortmund representatives are understood to have watched him deliver an encouraging outing in his side’s narrow loss at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Comfortable out wide or just behind the main man up top, Toure would fit Villa’s desperate need for another versatile front man to compliment the recent addition of Carles Gil, although whether he would be able to make an instant impact is up for debate.

Having netted just 11 goals in 22 Premier League games, Paul Lambert’s side are desperate for some help in the final-third, but one might argue that it would be better to bring in more proven commodities ahead of a potential relegation battle.

Regardless, it appears as though the club would have competition for the French prospect's signature, while it’s also unclear whether Bordeaux would even be willing to listen to offers.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.